20/11/2008

British and Moroccan government officials have completed negotiations on a landmark film co-production treaty that will cement film relations between the two countries. The treaty – the UK’s eight such bilateral one – is expected to come into effect in the first half of 2009.

UK Culture Minister Barbara Follett said: “The United Kingdom and Morocco have a shared history of filmmaking, from Lawrence of Arabia to more recent productions like Black Hawk Down and Troy. This agreement will give filmmakers an economic incentive to work together and build on that legacy, by giving them access to the benefits available in both countries. As Morocco continues to be a hot location for filmmakers, this further strengthening of our cultural ties can only be a good thing.”

UK Film Council CEO John Woodward added, “The UK is delighted to be taking its filmmaking relationship with Morocco a stage further, through the forthcoming signing of a co-production treaty. This will provide a really exciting opportunity for Moroccan and British filmmakers, artists and technicians to work together and to share stories by allowing them to share financial resources and to get films made. As such it’s a fantastic way of building up and sustaining both of our industries, which is ever more important in the global economy of film.”

The treaty will enable filmmakers access to funding in both countries; give co-productions national status in both countries; provide an incentive to filmmakers to use UK post facilities for Morocco-shot productions; and give UK films distribution access to the potentially vast Moroccan and North African market.